What Is Seasonal Support (De Ling)?
De Ling (Seasonal Support) means that the Five Element of the Day Master is in a state of Prosperity (Wang), Manifestation (Xiang), or potency within the Month Command (the seasonal climate governed by the Month Branch) — that is, the Day Master's element receives support from the Month Command. The Month Command is the most powerful Earthly Branch in the chart, making De Ling the primary factor in assessing Day Master strength.
Determining Seasonal Support
Use the Prosperity, Manifestation, Rest, Imprisonment, Death (Wang Xiang Xiu Qiu Si) framework — which describes the seasonal status of each element — to determine whether the Day Master has De Ling:
| Seasonal Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Wang (Prosperity) | The Day Master's element commands the season — strongest state (De Ling) |
| Xiang (Manifestation) | The Day Master's element is generated by the Month Command — second strongest (counts as De Ling) |
| Xiu (Rest) | The Day Master's element generates the Month Command element — past its peak (no De Ling) |
| Qiu (Imprisonment) | The Day Master's element restrains the Month Command element — suppressed (no De Ling) |
| Si (Death) | The Day Master's element is restrained by the Month Command element — weakest (absolutely no De Ling) |
Importance of Seasonal Support
De Ling carries the highest weight in Day Master strength assessment:
- When the Day Master has De Ling, it is often not weak even if Peers are scarce elsewhere in the chart
- When the Day Master lacks De Ling, even if other areas have Peers assisting the Day Master, the overall strength must be carefully evaluated
Seasonal Support and Hidden Stems in the Month Branch
Within the Hidden Stems of the Month Branch, the primary Hidden Stem represents the main deity commanding that month. If the Day Master shares the same Five Element as the primary Hidden Stem, De Ling is strongest; matching the secondary Hidden Stem is next in strength.
Application of Seasonal Support in Structure Evaluation
De Ling affects not only Day Master strength; the Ten Gods revealed by the Month Branch Hidden Stems also determine the chart structure (Establishing Salary Structure and Robbery Edge Structure are special cases where the Day Master obtains De Ling from the Month Command). Therefore, "De Ling" serves as both the foundation of chart strength and the source of chart structure.